Protect: Free clinics offered so you can get your kids immunized

Vaccinations: To best protect children from disease, parents must take their children to the doctor on a regular basis, and ensure their kids get the proper vaccinations when scheduled by their physicians. Pacific Daily News file photo

We encourage parents to take advantage of immunization clinics being prior to the start of the new school year to ensure their children's shots are up to date.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that immunizing children protects them from potentially deadly diseases. It also helps protect the overall health of the community because there is a lesser chance of exposure, the CDC states.

To best protect children from disease, parents must take their children to the doctor on a regular basis, and ensure their kids get the proper vaccinations when scheduled by their physicians.

The Department of Public Health and Social Services will hold back-to-school immunization drives from Aug. 11 to 29. All necessary immunizations will be given, except the varicella vaccine, also known as the chicken pox vaccine. Parents must bring their child's most current shot record and birth certificate.

Services at the Public Health Clinic in Mangilao are limited to individuals who are 18 years and younger on a first-come, first-serve basis. Clinics held at the Agana Shopping Center are for children ages four to 18 and are limited to those with Medicaid, MIP or no insurance. A parent, or adult with written authorization and photo ID, must accompany all children under 18 years of age.